Bicycle-boat.



L. PETERSON.

BICYCLE BOAT.

Y APPLICATION FILED MAR. I. I916. 1 206 587: Patented Nov. 28,1916."

9 9 2 SHfiETS-SHEET I.

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L. PETERSON.

BICYCLE BOAT.

APPLICATIQN map MAR. I. 1916.

1 $06,587. I Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

LEWIS PETERSON, OF MADRID, IOWA.

BICYCLE-BOAT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

Application filed March 1, 1916. Serial No. 81,476.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, LEWIS PETERSON, a citizen of the United States, residin at Madrid, in the county of Boone and tate of Iowa, have invented new and useful Improvements in Bicycle-Boats, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in bicycle boats.

In carrying out the present invention, it is my purpose to provide a device of the class described wherein by means of floats, the apparatus maybe buoyed up by the water and wherein the floats may be operated to steer the apparatus, thereby eliminating the necessity of employing a rudder or similar steering device.

It is also my purpose to provide apparatus of the type set forth which may be propelled through the water after the fashion of a bicycle and which may be steered easily and conveniently and wherein the component parts will be so arranged and correlated as to reduce the possibility of derangement to a minimum.

"With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter set forth in and falling within the scope of the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view through the same. Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation showing one of Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view showing the steering connection between the steering rod and the float supports.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, 1 designates a main frame of any appropriate construction. J ournaled in the main frame 1 adjacent to the bottom thereof is a shaft 2 and secured to the opposite ends of the shaft 2 are diametrically opposed cranks 3 having the outer ends thereof equipped with pedals 4 designed to accommodate the feet of the operator so that the shaft 2 will be rotated. Keyed upon the shaft 2 is a bevel wheel 5 meshing with a similar pinion 6 fixed upon one end of a propeller shaft 7 journaled in suitable alining bearings 8 carried by the lower portion of the frame 1 be= hind the shaft 2. Fastened to the rear end of the shaft 7 is a propeller 9 of any approved construction and the blades of the propeller wheel 9 are preferably, although not necessarily, inclosed by an annular band 10 so as to prevent the operators feet from coming into contact with the blades of the propeller in the event of the feet slipping off of the pedals. Each end of the frame 1 is equipped with vertically alining bearin s 11 suitably spaced apart and journaled in the hearings; at the opposite ends of the frame are vertical shafts 12, 12 respectively, and secured to the upper ends of the shafts 12 are yokes l3. Mounted in each yoke 13 is a float 14 of some suitable construction and surrounding each float 14 is a band 15 provided, at diametrically opposite points, with trunnions 16 journaled in the limbs of the yoke whereby the floats may swing vertically. Upstanding from the frame 1 in advance of the rear float is a seat post 17 and mounted upon the upper end of the post 17 is a seat 18, while journaled in vertically alining bearings carried by the frame 1 behind the front float is a steering shaft 19 and connected to the upper end of the steering shaft 19 are handle bars 20.

Fastened to the shafts 12 and the lower endof the steering shaft 19 are cross bars 21 respectively and connecting the opposite ends of the cross bar 21 on the steering shaft with the corresponding ends of the cross bar on the front shaft 12 are rods or cables 22, while connecting the'cross bar on the front shaft with the cross bar on the rear shaft 12 are crossed cables or rods 23.

In practice, the operator sits upon the seat 18 and places his hands upon the handle bars 20 and his feet upon the pedals 4. To propel the boat the shaft 2 is rotated under the action of the cranks 8 and the pedals 4, thereby rotating the bevel gear 5 and the pinion 6 to transmit motion to the propeller shaft 7 so that the boat may be propelled through the water. To steer the boat, the operator pulls the shaft 19 in one direction or the other under the action of the handle bars 20 and in this motion of the shaft 19 movement is transmitted to the front shaft 12 to turn the float 14 in the direction that the boat is to travel, while the rear shaft 12 is rotated in the opposite direction through the medium of the crossed cables 23, thereby turning the rear float in. the direction oppo site from the front float to facilitate the steering of the boat.

As previously described, the floats are capable of vertical swinging movement so that they may adapt themselves to the rough surface of the water and in order to limit this swinging movement of the floats 1% so as to prevent mutilation thereof any suitable means may be employed In the present instance, I secure to each shaft 12 below the yoke 13, a collar 24: and connected to the collar 2% at diametrically opposite points are the lower ends of chains 25. The remaining ends of the chains 25 are secured to the float 1% adjacent to the respective eX- tremities thereof. Connected to certain spaced links of each chain 25 are the ends of a retractile spring 26 that acts to hold the central portion of the chain slack and.

permits the chain to be drawn out in the movement of the float and restores the float to normal position.

In order to facilitate the transporting of the boat from place to place on land, I employ vertical rods 27 adapted to be secured in bearings 28 carried by the front and rear portions respectively of the frame and journaled in the lower ends of these rods are ground wheels 29.

While I have herein shown and described the preferred form of my invention by way of illustration, I wish it to be understood that I do not limit or confine myself to the precise details of construction herein described and delineated, as modification and variation may be made within the scope of the claims and without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a bicycle boat, a frame, propelling means on the frame, floats connected to the opposite ends of the frame and disposed above the latter to hold the frame suspended in the Water, pivotal connections between each float and the frame whereby the float may have vertical swinging movement to adapt itself torough water, and'means for limiting the swinging movement of the float and returning the same to normal position.

2.-In a bicycle boat, a frame, propelling means on said frame, vertical shafts journaled in the opposite ends of said frame, floats secured to the upper ends of said shafts respectively, and acting to hold the frame suspended in the water, a vertical steering shaft on the frame, connections between said steering shaft and the front float carrying shaft whereby the latter may be rotated to turn the float to steer the boat, and connections between the front float shaft and the rear float shaft whereby the latter will be rotated to rotate the float thereon in the relatively opposite direction to facili tate the steering of the boat. a

3. In a bicycle boat, a frame, propelling means on said frame, vertical shafts journaled in the opposite ends of said frame, yokes on the upper ends of said shafts re spectively, floats mounted inv said yokes and acting to hold the frame suspended in the water, a vertical steeringshaft; on the frame, connections between said steering shaft and the front float carrying shaftavhereby the latter may be rotated to turn the float. to steer the boat, and connections between the front float shaft and the rear float shaft whereby the latter will-.be rotated to rotate the float thereon in the relatively opposite direction to facilitate the'steering of the boat.

In testimony whereofI aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

LEWIS'PETERSON. Witnesses:

OSCAR OAKLEAF,

. C. G, Jorrnson.

' Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, byaddressing the Gommi ssioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

